Aadhaar data safe as servers are in India: Minister

New Delhi, Aug 2 (IANS) Aadhaar related data is safe as the servers that contain the data are in India, Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Wednesday.

Answering a question on cyber security in the Lok Sabha, the Minister said: “Data is the new oil… As far as Aadhaar is concerned entire system is in india safe and secure.”

The Minister was asked about safety of data as most servers were outside the country.

“Even if data processing centre is outside India, those working on platforms need to understand there is a proper law, the IT Act, and it has to be followed,” he said.

Prasad also said pro-active steps are being taken to ensure cyber security. “India is becoming a digital power. We have an elaborate system for cyber security. However, the cyber attacks on India is very minimum, but we are always alert,” he said.

The Minister said apart from the recent WannaCry ransomware attack, another ransomware called Petya has also been reported since June.

“Some 34 incidents have been reported to CERT-In from organisations and individuals regarding infections of Wannacry and Petya ransomware,” he said.

The Minister said operations of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai were partially affected by the Petya ransomware, and decryption tools for some of the ransomware are available, which allows users to decrypt their files.